Is there a issue here?

[nurp]

Iam a 58 year old man diagnosed with severe COPD. Iam a supervisor at a large paint shop, that does heavy industrial painting. I have worked in this shop for the past 10 years. We apply numerous types of paint such as zinc, epoxies and urethanes, along with coal tar epoxies and plural component coatings. There is no way you can escape the fumes and the overspray in the shop when you are in full production, approximately around 8 painters applying paint. While Iam working in my office which is around 50% of the time the fumes get so heavy that it shortens my breath and makes me very sick. I went to my pulmonologist and he had me take a CT scan with contrast. The results are as follows: Both lungs demonstrate diffuse emphysematous changes with hyperlucency. A bulla in the right lower lobe, adjacent to the major fissure measures 5.2 X 4.4 cm. The thin linear opacities in the lingula and right middle lobe are compatible postinflammatory scarring. there is a linear or band consolidation with associated air bronchogramsin the lingula; may relate to small consolidation, atelectasis, or old parachymal scarring disease.  The lungs and pleural spaces are otherwise clear. Do you think this could be related to a Occupatiental illness

[National Jewish Health]

Absolutely, yes, your lung disease is related to your occupational exposure and you will continue to lose lung at an accelerated rate as long as you remain in that environment.  It truly is very hazardous to your lung health.  What you describe below is consistent with the allegation of “severe COPD” and there is not a moment to spare.  If your current lung power is to be preserved, you must remove yourself from this environment immediately.  To do otherwise will almost certainly shorten your life and reduce the quality of it.

I understand that these are hard times, economically, and that you will probably be reluctant to give up a well paying job.  You will have to weigh this against an almost certain reduction in longevity, should you not leave this job to seek another job in a clean air environment.  This will be a hard decision.  If you have not had pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed by your pulmonologist, you should and, on the basis of the results, he may be able to give you a more specific estimate of what is called your “lung age” and your prognosis, depending on your choice to quit or stay.

Good luck.

[nurp]

I have been off work for 6 months now and my breathing has deteriated quite a bit. I am now being evaluated medicaly to see if I can get on transplant list at UCLA. I still have not applied for workmans comp. Since it is so difficult a process to get out on work induced asthma. I probably have enough evidence now to start the process. All of this has been so over whelming. Thank you for the response..

[Debser]

I don't think your work environment could help you with your condition. I hope you do not smoke there. Is it possible to wear a respirator, at least some of the time. I used to be a decorative painter and when I was diagnosed with emphysema (non smoker) at 43 I changed careers. I feel much better. Perhaps you could try and get a more front end position? Call OSHA or someone like that to find out if safety regulations are being met at your place, or could be improved. I hope you are able to find another position somewhere, I think it will help you a lot. I don't know the specifics of being compensated for Occupational illness but my guess would be you qualify.
Good Luck, start excercising as soon as possible. I'm sure as soon as you limit, or end exposure to toxic fumes you feel some improvement